Zhu Chen had prepared thoroughly for that visit.
However, after learning that the Mountain Treasure had already been born, hesitation crept into his heart.
From what he knew, the mountain treasure was none other than the inheritance of the Supreme Hall.
It contained not only the Six Paths of Reincarnation Heavenly Art, but also supreme techniques passed down from ancient species such as the Hou and Luan birds....along with one of the Ten Ferocious Techniques, the legendary Grass Character Sword Manual.
Even in the Upper Realm, these would be peerless treasures fought over by countless experts.
Now that such an inheritance lay right before him…
How could Zhu Chen not harbor ambition?
"Zhu Chen," Huo Ling'er suddenly said, her voice full of excitement, "I heard Father Emperor mention that many ancient ferocious beasts have gathered in the Cangmang Mountains, all competing for an incredibly powerful treasure.
Even our Fire Kingdom's Sacrificial Spirit.....the Vermilion Bird—went there."
She leaned closer, eyes shining.
"Do you think… if we go there now, we might get that treasure?"
"Hehe! If we actually succeed, Father Emperor would definitely look at us in a whole new light!"
Her words were spoken casually, without much thought.
But to Zhu Chen, they struck like a hammer.
They solidified his resolve.
"It's not impossible for us to obtain that extraordinary treasure," Zhu Chen finally said, a faint smile forming. "But we'll need to plan carefully first…"
Meanwhile — In the World of Mortal Cultivation
In a secluded courtyard within the Chaotic Star Sea, Han Li sat silently on a stone bench.
Before him lay a fragmented map....the remains of the Void Heaven Palace diagram.
His brows were tightly furrowed, his gaze heavy with worry.
Moments earlier, a Golden Core cultivator he knew had come to visit.
The man claimed to admire Han Li's skill in formations and invited him to jointly explore the ruins of an ancient cultivator's cave, promising to split the gains evenly afterward.
Under normal circumstances, such an invitation would have been unremarkable.
In the past, Han Li would have accepted without hesitation....at most, preparing extra escape tools and life-saving measures.
But this time, he hesitated.
"The timing of Jin Qing's invitation perfectly matches what Fellow Daoist Zhu described in Mortal Cultivation," Han Li murmured.
"That means the events in the novel truly reflect my future."
"If that's the case, then the ruins Jin Qing discovered are nothing more than a trap set by Xuan Gu Shangren for body possession."
"If I go, things will unfold exactly as described. Qu Hun will be possessed… and I'll be plunged into extreme danger."
Although Zhu Chen had mentioned that knowing the future could change it, Han Li knew better.
This place was far too dangerous.
He absolutely could not take that risk.
After long deliberation, Han Li decided to abandon the exploration entirely.
Zhang Tie—the friend he had known since his days in the Seven Mysteries Sect....was one of the few people Han Li truly considered a friend.
Even if Zhang Tie had been turned into an avatar, Han Li could not accept seeing him possessed by Xuan Gu Shangren.
As for Jin Qing, Han Li had already subtly warned him before.
Unfortunately, Jin Qing remained obsessed with the ruins and ignored his advice.
There was nothing more Han Li could do.
With a heavy sigh, he tucked away the incomplete map of the Void Heaven Palace.
"I can avoid Xuan Gu's cave," he thought, "but the Void Heaven Palace itself contains a tremendous opportunity.
If I miss it, it may leave a permanent demonic knot in my heart."
The Void Heaven Palace housed priceless treasures.....the Void Heaven Cauldron, Heaven-Mending Pill, Nine-Bend Spirit Ginseng, Wolf-Head Jade Ruyi, and the Azure Ice Flame.
Each one could dramatically accelerate his cultivation.
Missing such an opportunity would haunt him for a lifetime.
Yet Han Li also knew the danger.
Even ignoring Xuan Gu's potential return, the Nascent Soul cultivators from both righteous and demonic factions were far beyond his current strength.
After careful consideration, Han Li made a decision.
He would seek help from the chat group.
That was precisely why he had readily agreed when Zhu Chen asked to borrow the Concealing Spirit Veil and the Qi Concealing Technique.
Even without knowing Zhu Chen's exact cultivation level, anyone capable of casually sharing a divine art like the Vermilion Bird Treasure Technique could not possibly be weak.
Just as Han Li was thinking about who to seek help from next, a notification appeared in the chat group.
At first, he assumed it was Zhu Chen returning the Concealing Spirit Veil.
But when he opened the message, his expression darkened.
The one who tagged him was...
Tang San.
The person Han Li disliked the most.
[Tang San]: @Han Li, don't get so full of yourself just because you have that spirit liquid. If we're talking about spirit liquid and immortal herbs, I have plenty too.
Immediately after, Tang San sent several images.
In the chat group, images displayed items in their most authentic form.
The medicinal potency, the spiritual pressure....everything could be felt clearly.
What Tang San showed were several immortal-grade herbs he had previously "taken" from the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, including water from the Yin-Yang Twin Springs.
The provocation was unmistakable.
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